Darius~
My mother calls me into her chambers , an order.
" You're late , Darius". She questions in her low dangerous voice .
" I was asleep ". I tell her keeping my voice almost as low as hers.
" You always are . Useless. I wonder what your father sees in you , your brothers clearly are better".
"I suppose they are mother ". I reply with nonchalance and she raises her eyebrows, a wicked smile on her lips .
"As I'm sure you're aware , all the Queens and kings of Sanlay will gather on the night the Sky Horse , I intend to impress them in some way , show them that I'm better and make the subjects think I actually care about them but we know the truth ".
"And you will be my pawn in this little game".
She mentioned like she needed too.
" What do you want"?. I ask and she rises up from her chair in which she usually sits and day dreams wickedness . She walks up to me , two feet shorter and puts her hand on my face gently , if I didn't know better , i'd think it was an affectionate touch .
She whispers "You'll join the Guards".and by the look in her eyes I know there is more to what she has revealed. She starts to walk back to her seat
" Why?" . I ask and she turns to me , annoyance written on her face .
" That is not for you to question Darius, I have plans, deeper , very important plans than you could ever fathom ".
" Why me then , why not Themal , your favorite, your first or Josel'e , your perfect daughter or even Marion , the clumsiest of all of us but "it's his charm" like you always say. Why not any of your other children" . I argue , anger rising up , showing my pain.
She laughs and laughs and like the maniac she is , she stops all of a sudden
" Are you hungry for some love , Darius? . Do you want a hug from mommy? ".
She comes closer to me , a smirk on her red lips .
" You wish". And the moment I heard that tears formed in my eyes , pain and anger relinquished, I wished I could cry but that wouldnt do anyone any good . So I stabled my voice the very best I could
" I don't want anything from you , I just want to know why not them and what does father think".
" If you are truly so curious , I'll tell you . Themal wouldn't be right for this plan , everyone knows too much about him and Josel'e - mmmm- my pretty girl I can't let get hurt in training for any reason and Marion , my dear son would blab and brag about everything and we all know he could kill himself if he held a sword , he is way too clumsy . I love him ". She chuckled
" And your father , he hates that I use you but I wove in lies so he wouldn't inquire farther of my intentions, he'll try his best to have you protected . My dear husband doesn't even trust me with my own son and he has reason to not ". She speaks this so softly , so quietly , If I couldn't hear proper I'd think she was telling me sweet words .
She waits for me to speak but I stare at her , hands behind my back . Shes frowning now
" You'll do as I say , you'll be trained by the commander of The Guards I have already told Kale , you will gain trust and you will play your part no questions asked"
" Do you understand me?" . Of course .
" Yes , Mother" I tell her , a small smile appears on her face , one of triumph.
" You don't seem reluctant anymore , anything i'd to know ". She questions . She noticed , she was always very cunning . She looks at me like she's trying to find out the secret behind my eyes. I don't answer
"Hmm , Get out ". She orders and I do . I could only ever breathe away from her , my chest lighter , my shoulders lower .
Kale comes to meet me , he'd been outside waiting .
He lowers his voice " Darius , what did she say?" . Curiosity and worry laced his voice . We'd been friends a long time but we tried to make our friendship subtle in case my mother found a way to hurt him just to hurt me or something worse.
"She has plans Kale and we need plans as well . What do you know about this commander, what is her name?".
"Rahaya Bach " he answers and I nod .
" Find out everything you don't know, why her? , what does the Queen know , what does she want , find out everything Kale , everything."
"Of course, you'll have a hard time with Rahaya , she hates your family which means she hates you . She's an orphan both parents dead ,the reason for her father's death is only subtly spoken most people who knew are now dead except Rahaya . It is said He , Rahaya's mother and the Queen were friends when they were younger but grew apart when she married your father and became Queen , that's all I know , I'll have to find out more . Her mother , however was murdered in broad day light ."
Now I'm truly afraid of the girl , she might kill me , maybe that is what my mother wants .
"What do you suggest I do to gain her favour ".
" There isnt much you can do but do not be late , I beg of you , she reads people really well , so do not show her you know a lot about fighting and swordsmanship or she'll immediately know you have secrets and she will try her best to find out what they are but don't be a fool during training either just the perfect line between knowledge and naivety ". Kale instructs and I already know how doomed I am .
"Rahaya Bach" I test her name on my tongue. , what do you have prepared for me , what are you really like in person . Will you kill me or will you not?.
Will you hate me or will you in the very least tolerate me .
I'm curious to know , what will be our story .